Colon Hydrotherapy

Colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation, is a procedure, sometimes associated with naturopathy. Similar to an enema, it involves the introduction of discrete amounts of water, sometimes infused with minerals or other materials, into the colon using medically-approved Class II colon hydrotherapy devices with sanitary, disposable speculums or gravity-fed enema-like systems inserted into the rectum. The fluid is released after a short period, and the process will be repeated multiple times during the course of a treatment.

The practice has been known since ancient times for treating constipation, which was believed to be the root of many diseases and illnesses. The first recorded references to colon cleansing date back more than 3000 years to the Ebers papyrus, an Egyptian medical document. This document outlines bowel and colon cleansing procedures using various herbal concoctions and water, and has been carbon dated to between 1500 and 1700 B.C.

Current practitioners recommend it for a variety of ills stemming from accumulation of fecal matter in the large intestine, a process referred to as autointoxication. Autointoxication results from increased absorption of bacterial / fungal toxins as a result of an increased toxic load in the colon. While some hydrotherapists believe colonics lead to better overall wellness, others claim it helps specific diseases, including chronic fatigue, arthritis, and sinusitis. It is also claimed to improve muscle tone in the colon, leading to stronger peristaltic contractions.

The practice is currently only regulated in some states of the United States. Some practitioners go through a voluntary certification process, and may be members of one of the colon hydrotherapy associations worldwide, such as the International Association of Colon HydroTherapy. The typical cost for a colonic is about $65 to $80 in the US.